Patients of a Devon mental health unit have created an ambient music album as part of a therapy project.
A group of six patients at Dawlish’s Langdon Hospital recorded and edited the album, called Labyrinthe Des Esprits: The Cosmic Hunt, using sounds from across Devon.
Noises including the bells of Buckfast Abbey, beehives and atmospheric sounds from Fernworthy Reservoir’s ancient stone circles have been combined with synthesized and traditional musical instruments to produce the songs.
Members of the group who recorded the album said they were pleased with the work and hoped it showed people in secure units can “do creative things”.
Matt Smith, musical technical instructor at the site run by Devon Partnership NHS Trust, said the songs were based on ancient mythology and had a “rural narrative” running through the album.
He added the project helped patients get in touch with nature.
“It’s the not knowing what you’re going to discover and taking time to just sit and absorb being outside,” Mr Smith said.
“I think for the chaps that I work with here who do have limited access to outside spaces, you can just see that’s it so beneficial and they just love it.”
A patient called Seb – not his real name – who helped record the album, said he found the process therapeutic as it “tapped into the senses”.
Seb added: “I hope people will be able to relax, get some enjoyment out of listening to this and realise that people in secure services can do creative things and contribute to society.”